Leo New Moon and Goddess Energy by Maya White Master Destination Astrologer Hello and Welcome to my Star Cast, where I bring you the weekly update on what’s happening in the world of astrology – and how you can apply the wisdom of astrology to enrich your life here on earth. This week, you can observe the moon getting smaller in size each evening. As the moon decreases in size, so can your external activities. The waning lunar phase is time for release; a time for contemplation, clearing, and claiming. And, it’s time to prepare for the exciting Leo New Moon of August 14th.Monday the 10th is an awesome day! The week begins a busy Gemini moon that forms a sextile to Jupiter as her last aspect before going void of course at 4:45 am. Quickly, however, Luna enters Cancer, and later on in the day she creates a sextile of opportunity to Mercury. Monday is a great day to get your thoughts down on paper, and get the week started right. Moon trine Neptune just before 10:00 pm makes for a perfect ending to a beautiful day. There is one major planetary event for Tuesday, August 11th; Jupiter, the ‘giver of gifts’ enters Virgo, his sign of detriment. Jupiter is not especially happy, or powerful a planet in Virgo. Ah, fair Maidens and Merrie men, do not moan and wail. Some might say that Jupiter in Virgo is not good for much. But, not me – you’ll hear no such proclamation here.Jupiter in Virgo is good for: * Expansion of technical skills * Clarification in all aspects of your life * Strategic growth as a result of careful planning * Detox, refinement, and purification of your physical body Jupiter is noted for granting what you want, but sometimes he also gives something that you don’t think you need. Jupiter in Virgo gives you a lot to work with; he delivers the opportunity, but Saturn and the other planets help you transform and weave the occasion into the fabric of your life. Jupiter will be in Virgo until September of 2016. The biggest and best fun for this week is that the sun and moon are racing towards a New Moon in Leo on Friday, August 14th. There are four elements used in Western astrology, Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Chinese astrology has a slightly different nomenclature, and identifies five elements; Fire, Earth, Metal (similar to air), Water, and Wood. Leo is a Fire sign, and therefore, we are now bathed in the element of fire. Fire is the element of spirit and invigoration. Fire is masculine, creative, and yang. The planet connected to the sign of Leo is the Sun – a magnificent symbol of fire. And, Fire is the just do it element; another way to think of the fire element is – just let your sun shine. Hot and fiery Mars left the water sign of Cancer on August 8th, and is now in Leo until late September. And, Venus remains in Leo until October 8th!Another Special Tip This year, 2015 is a Wood element year in Chinese astrology, and wood is consumed by fire. Can you see how so many planets in fire signs now can lead to burnout? Hopefully we will not experience too many large forest fires, but this would be a logical prediction. Perhaps Jupiter in Virgo, a calm and safe earth sign, has an unseen saving grace. For you, however, take care that you don’t get consumed by the uncontrollable burnout. Take extra time to remain grounded, drink plenty of water (feeds wood), and refuel your inner spark with sleep and play.Beautiful Dreamer The New Moon on Friday is also united with Venus, the planet of relationship and beauty. And, on Saturday, August 15th, the Sun and Venus are conjunct. This happens only one day each year, and Saturday is the day. Venus, now retrograde and no longer visible in her evening sky, joins the Sun just after noon time (Pacific). Although some people say that you can see Venus during the day, and that she is almost as large and bright as the Sun, I cannot say for certain that is true. What I do know is that Venus returns to the skies again as a Morning Star on August 20th. Venus in her Morning Star phase is also known as Lucifer – the bright and shining one. The archetype and positive message of Lucifer has been diluted and mis-directed through Western religious tradition. Ancient Babylonians associated this phase of Venus as a time when you are released from oppression. Let’s go for the positive! Get clean and clear, and welcome Venus as a symbol of love and beauty into your life. Astrology gives insight on your health, wealth, and even timing. Have an amazing week, and a fantastically rich and rewarding life. I’ll be back next week with my Star Cast, and in the meantime – this week, as always – let your Light shine.